World Aids Day 2009: teenagers in Brazil

Despite Brazil's success in curbing HIV infection rates and securing almost universal access to treatment and prevention services, the battle to end the stigma, discrimination and fear that still surrounds the virus is far from won. These pictures highlight
the work of Pela Vidda, an organisation (supported by UKaid from the Department for International Development and Save the Children UK) that supports teenagers living with HIV/Aids

Monday 30 November 2009 20.00 EST
First published on Monday 30 November 2009 20.00 EST

Rafael,17, is HIV positive and like the majority of the children and teenagers who congregate at Pela Vidda, Rafael is among Brazil’s first generation of people who have always lived with HIV

By running HIV awareness seminars, Pela Vidda teenagers will talk to other young people in hospitals and HIV projects around Rio about issues such as safe sex, building friendship and health and nutrition.

The Pela Vidda project provides a place of refuge and safety for its young people. Offering counselling and social care services, music workshops, art therapy and regular meals, the project also works hand-in-hand with paediatricians at Niteroi hospital

Project staff hope that the confidence-building they witness in their kids will continue: “My mum won’t understand but when I’m 18 I’m going to try and start telling people that I am HIV positive. I don’t want to live my life always hiding away because that is not who I am. I like being me," says Gabriela, 16.

"The real problem is people’s attitudes because there is such ignorance around HIV and Aids, which makes life difficult. I used to always be afraid that my friends would discover that I was HIV positive because where I live bad things have happened to people who have it." Ignacio, 17.

Project staff hope that the confidence-building they witness in their kids will continue: “My mum won’t understand but when I’m 18 I’m going to try and start telling people that I am HIV positive. I don’t want to live my life always hiding away because that is not who I am. I like being me," says Gabriela, 16